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Re: Why did McLellan start opposite Suggs on sunday?

Upshaw might be on a pitch count of sorts, to make sure that he doesn't wear down late in the season.

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Re: Why did McLellan start opposite Suggs on sunday?

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

McClellan may have started, but he only seen 14 snaps, significantly lower than Upshaws snap count.

McClellan should be starting ILB, been saying this for a while now.

Thats a more telling sign than who started any day. Certain packages to start a game gives players starts when they may only play 5-10%. It doesnt really say much. Mccellan at ilb is intriguing. I think wed be better aginst the run that way and with the way ellerbe was rushing, possibly better there as well if mccellan assumes that role at ilb.

Re: Why did McLellan start opposite Suggs on sunday?

Originally Posted by JAB1985

Thats a more telling sign than who started any day. Certain packages to start a game gives players starts when they may only play 5-10%. It doesnt really say much. Mccellan at ilb is intriguing. I think wed be better aginst the run that way and with the way ellerbe was rushing, possibly better there as well if mccellan assumes that role at ilb.

I honestly think McClellan and Elerbee could make up for a decent tandem together. McClellan being the run stuffer, and Elerbee is more of the inside blitzer, who is also good at stopping the run him self. It would certainly be an upgrade over Jameel McClain IMO who has just not been on it this year with that lost weight.

Re: Why did McLellan start opposite Suggs on sunday?

Originally Posted by BcRaven

IMO Mclellan should be (as you posted) @ ILB, and I believe that McClain should be an OLB... Bc

I have thought this for a long time, but at this point the facts show he's not an OLB. The bottom line is he's now been an ILB for 3 different defensive coordinators here in Baltimore. Last time he dabbled at OLB was his rookie year under Rex. Maybe you question the personnel decisions of 1 coordinator or another. But when 3 in a row make the same call I think it's time to face the fact that he's not an OLB

Re: Why did McLellan start opposite Suggs on sunday?

Originally Posted by LC_Ravens_87

I have thought this for a long time, but at this point the facts show he's not an OLB. The bottom line is he's now been an ILB for 3 different defensive coordinators here in Baltimore. Last time he dabbled at OLB was his rookie year under Rex. Maybe you question the personnel decisions of 1 coordinator or another. But when 3 in a row make the same call I think it's time to face the fact that he's not an OLB

While you very likely are right, isn't it possible that those three you mentioned are wrong? I thought McClain was quite aggressive @ OLB in his rookie season, and had high potential there. I was puzzled, as a fan of course, that he was moved inside. Don't the professional coaches make mistakes too? ... Bc

Re: Why did McLellan start opposite Suggs on sunday?

By all accounts, courtney upshaw is a beast against the run and is a menace to the pocket. Why would they put Albert McLellan in now, when we need him the least?

I dont know if anyone else caught that when CBS showed him as the starting OLB.

Thoughts?

McClellan has been very good setting the edge. On Sunday, Pees must have planned to use Upshaw at DT (passing downs only) in the absence of McPhee, and wanted to keep him fresh for that. They kept his snap count down early, but Upshaw got the bulk of the snaps as the game wore on.

I think it's difficult to find fault with how the Ravens have played the run on the outside. Edge setting has not been the problem, it's been weakness in the middle (down linemen and ILB) that have been the issue. I hope the emergence of Ellerbe could be the start of something special and I'd like to see McClain and McClellan split some snaps on the inside.

Re: Why did McLellan start opposite Suggs on sunday?

Originally Posted by Filmstudy

McClellan has been very good setting the edge. On Sunday, Pees must have planned to use Upshaw at DT (passing downs only) in the absence of McPhee, and wanted to keep him fresh for that. They kept his snap count down early, but Upshaw got the bulk of the snaps as the game wore on.

I think it's difficult to find fault with how the Ravens have played the run on the outside. Edge setting has not been the problem, it's been weakness in the middle (down linemen and ILB) that have been the issue. I hope the emergence of Ellerbe could be the start of something special and I'd like to see McClain and McClellan split some snaps on the inside.

Yeah you kind of gave me the idea of McClellan playing the inside a few months back after the Philly game. Our weakness is certainly up the middle which tells me our nose tackles are doing a terrible job, and that our Jameel McClain has struggled with that lost weight. I really don't understand why you'd lose weight if your main talent is stopping the run, he's obviously never going to be a good coverage LB, and I think had he kept that weight or even bulked up he could have remained what he was last year or even improved as an effective 2 down LB.

Re: Why did McLellan start opposite Suggs on sunday?

I agree with the earlier poster saying that they are using a "pitch count" on upshaws snaps. he is a rookie who is getting used to his lower weight. They dont want him to hit that rookie wall so they are keeping his snaps low now so they can increase them in december when most rookies hit that wall.